piano trio Flashcards
How was sonata form used? - Link to a different use
Standard use of sonata form. No intro, exposition with repeat.
The romantic period was a time where composers such as Berlioz, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky were starting to experiment with sonata form.
Constrasts with Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique” which has an extended intro in ternary form
Adjective to describe first subject
Lyrical
What key is the second subject group in? Link to a piece with similar key relationship between subjects
The second subject is in Bb major (the relative major).
The same key relationship can be found in Mozart’s symphony no.40 (movement 1)
What keys does Schumann modulate to at the end of the expo and what effect does this have?
Give an example of a constrasting piece
Schumann modulates through Eb and D at the end of the exposition.
D major is quite far away from g minor on the circle of fifths which creates uncertainty.
Romantic composers generally used a wider range of tonality than classical composers.
Haydn only uses the keys of G major and G minor in his piano trio no.39 (movement 1)
How are the subjects explored in the development?
Motifs from the first subject are explored in a variety of keys such as Eb, F, and C minor.
Link to Shubert’s piano trio in Bb major (movement 1) which also explores the main theme in a variety of keys to create an atmopshere of excitement and forward motion.
What tonality (and what subject) is used in the recapitulation and what effect does this have? Link to similar piece
2nd subject is heard in the bright tonic major creating an optimistic atmosphere.
This is similar to Beethovens Symphony no.5 where the second subject returns in the tonic major, creating a more positive and triumphant mood.
How does Schumann’s use of modulation compare to other romantic composers?
Although Schumann use of modulation is much more experimental than classical composers such as Haydn and Mozart, she is relatively conservative with her use of modulation as a romantic composer - especially compared to Berlioz, who uses a frenzy of keys in the introduction of “Symphony fantastique” - movement 1 such as c minor, c major, and Eb major.
How is harmony generally used in this?
While there is lots of chromatic haromony, it is functional, with frequent perfect cadences to reinforce modulations.
This is similar to the second movement of Vivaldi’s concerto in D minor, where there are frequent perfect cadences even as rapid modulations take place.
How are cadential 6/4s used?
Cadential 6/4s are used in the bridge passage to ground the tonic, this is similar to Mozart’s piano sonata in Bb major k.333 (movement 1) which features an extended cadential 6/4 to create a longer and more emphatic perfect cadence.
How are dominant pedals used?
Dominant pedals are used at the end of the exposition and the development to anticipate a transition.
This is also demonstrated in Vivaldis concerto in D minor (2nd movement) which nears the end with a sustained dominant pedal
How are diminished chords used?
Used towards the end of the development section to create suspense - similar to Berlioz who uses them in the introduction of “Symphonie fantistique” (movement 1) to create tension.
What other types of chords are used?
Secondary dominants , neapolitan 6ths, 7/6 and 4/3 suspensions, dissonant extensions such as dominant minor 9th
What chord progressions and cadences were used?
Ic-V-I, perfect, plagal, imperfect, cycle of fifths
Schumann finished the piece with a plagal cadence. This is very unconvential for an early romantic period composer, although late romantic period composers such as Richard Wagner and Jean Sibelius ended their pieces on plagal cadences such as Sibelius’s “Finlandia”.
What are the roles of the instruments? Link to earlier works
The instruments have a fairly equal role, although this was common in the romantic period, in the classical period the piano often dominated, with the violin only sometimes playing and the cello doubling the bassline.
Are any parts virtuosic? Link to type of music
None of the parts are particularly virtuosic this piece is chamber music - music written for amateurs to be performed as entertainment
